Another Canon 5D Mark II Issue

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Level 1

47 points

Another Canon 5D Mark II Issue

I have the new Canon 5D Mark II. When I connect the camera to my Mac Pro, the disc image of the CF card does not appear on the desktop or in the finder. Aperture does find the card, and launches, so I can import the images into Aperture, and then export them to another folder for processing. I still haven't figured out how to access videos on the card, however.

Does the OS need to be updated to allow the Mac to recognize the CF card in the new camera? Or is there something else wrong (e.g. bad card)? Is the workaround above the best thing available at this time? How can I access the videos shot by the Mark II?

Mac Pro 2x2.8 Quad-Core Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Dec 15, 2008 4:46 AM

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Answer 1

imigra

Level 2

220 points

Dec 15, 2008 5:54 AM in response to Doctor Ralph

this all depends on the protocol the camera uses to communicate with the computer. aperture will not download videos for you, and usually you won't see anything on the desktop. try image capture to see what that does, but I would always suggest getting a card reader. apart from being a lot faster than reading from the camera, you can continue shooting while you download a card to the computer.
j

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Answer 2

Dec 15, 2008 10:50 AM in response to imigra

I second imigra's post. I've always used external reader, assuming that it's best to get a dedicated tool for such an important job. Get yourself a nice, fast FW800 reader like the SanDisk Extreme, esp if you'll be working with the huge video files you'll be creating.

I've owned numerous cheaper USB2 readers, but have been very pleased with the FW800. Now that I have almost 70 GB worth of CF cards (bought another three16 GB cards for $10 each during the SanDisk firesale in October!) the high speed transfer work quite well.

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Answer 3

Doctor Ralph Author

Level 1

47 points

Dec 15, 2008 11:25 AM in response to Doctor Ralph

Yes, I ordered the Extreme IV Card Reader this morning, along with some additional cards. It should be much faster than the camera.

But back to my original problem, I tried a second CF card, and it still doesn't show up on my desktop, so it is not the card. My other digital cameras have no trouble acting as card readers. I wonder if there is something in the OS that needs to be updated to recognize a new camera. In Aperture, it recognizes the card, and even names it "Canon 5D Mark II."

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Answer 4

Dec 15, 2008 11:42 AM in response to Doctor Ralph

I knew Apple had released the 50D RAW update but I didn't know (nor check) that they've released the 5D Mk2 RAW update. I assume you shot RAW as JPEG's should load fine no matter what camera. If you do shoot RAW and the 5D Mk2 is not supported as yet, you will need to import into Adobe DNGtoRAW converter (if this supports the 5D Mk2 as yet) and convert to DNG. Then import the DNG's into Aperture.

Apple appear to be getting closer to Adobe at RAW support for newer / popular cameras (and Canon/Nikon esp.) but there is still (typically) a sizeable lag between camera availability and RAW support in Aperture.

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Answer 5

Dec 15, 2008 12:09 PM in response to Doctor Ralph

Sorry about the FW800 post - now to answer your question...

I just tried mounting my 5D mkII and it also did not appear on the desktop directly. So I opened the program called Image Capture (which is how the OS handles these tasks) and immediately a dialogue popped up asking me what to do with the 5D Mark II.

So until the FW800 reader arrives, search Spotlight for Image Capture and import your images that way.

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Answer 6

Doctor Ralph Author

Level 1

47 points

Dec 15, 2008 1:07 PM in response to Doctor Ralph

It works! Great tip, and thanks! My guess is when 10.5.6 comes out, this step will no longer be necessary.

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Answer 7

tidysteve

Level 4

2,975 points

Dec 15, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Doctor Ralph

10.5.6 is out ... my guess is that it will still be an issue ...

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Answer 8

Dec 15, 2008 2:48 PM in response to tidysteve

Yes. Apart from the issue of 10.5.6 not supporting 5D mkII RAW files, I've still have issues with how OS X mounts my USB or FW compact flash card readers.

They showed up as Devices when I first bought them, but later (for some unknown reason) just appeared on the desktop but no longer as a Device. I've poked around various preferences, but could never figure out what had changed. Maybe someone else has the answer ... 🙂

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Answer 9

5DM2

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2008 5:27 PM in response to Doctor Ralph

Done. Apple just provided the update that extends compatibility for the 5D Mark II.
Check your "software update".

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Answer 10

Dec 30, 2008 5:33 AM in response to 5DM2

Dear sir

I have updated my iphoto 08 verson 7.1.5 with the latest RAW compatiable patch file, which claims to support Canon 5D Mark II. However, it doesn't work out. Error message still exists.

Do you any advice?

Regards
Angus Wong

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Answer 11

Doctor Ralph Author

Level 1

47 points

Dec 30, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Doctor Ralph

I believe the OS requires update to v. 10.5.6 in order for either iPhoto or Aperture to be able to handle the new RAW files. Have you updated the OS?

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Answer 12

Jan 8, 2009 4:47 PM in response to calfcanuck

Great post!! Worked like charm!!!

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